American Handgunner

handgUnhUnTIngparTII Prairiedogsrequireprecise bulletplacement.AT/Cin.17 HMRwithHornady’s20-gr. XTPmakesalldayshooting affairspainlessontheshooter, devastatingonvarmints. Thiswilycoyotewasnomatchforanaccurate single-shotliketheXP-100.Coyotesprovidea liberal. challengeforanyhandgunhunterandseasonsare any handgunners have something in common with professional athletes — we like a challenge. For me, hitting a prairie dog at 300 yards with a handgun is my kind of trial. Calling in a bobcat and cleanly dispatching the feline with one wellplaced shot from my pistol feels like hitting a home run! Every fall we anticipate the upcoming big game seasons. I’m like a kid waiting to open up Christmas presents. We can’t wait for opening morning and look forward all year long to the pursuit of big game. Unfortunately these seasons don’t last very long — or certainly don’t last long enough. What are we going to do with the rest of the winter until fishing season arrives? That’s easy. Varmint hunting is becoming more popular for a variety of reasons. Furbearing seasons for varmints are far more liberal, some lasting for months. Other varmints can be hunted yearround in certain areas. This can provide a lot of off-season hunting opportunities. After big game seasons have closed, varmint hunters are getting prepared for a lot of quality time in the great outdoors. Access to private property is another matter. The same farmer who doesn’t allow you to hunt deer on his property could very well welcome Thiscaracalisthelargestofthe smallAfricancats.Itisarealkiller whenitcomestodomesticlivestock suchassheep.T/C’sEncorein.22 HornettoppedwithaBurris3-12X scopeaccountedforthiscat. MarkhaMpTon 66 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER2013